Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-07-09

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Committee on EU affairs meet

[03] Cyprus' economy strong according to Maastricht criteria.

[04] Priceless statues stolen from occupied Salamis

[05] President, Albright exchange letters

[06] Government protests Turkish aircraft violations

[07] Cyprus' growth rate up to 4,0 per cent in 1998

[08] President backs business contacts between two sides

[09] Russian, US officials discuss Cyprus problem

1430:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

   CSE General Index                          85.03 ( 0.72)

   Traded Value            CYP   942,235

   Sectural Indices

   Banks                   CYP   329,489      99.24 ( 1.17)
   Approved Investment
   Companies               CYP     8,131      58.45 (-0.29)
   Insurance Companies     CYP    23,233      60.05 (-1.36)
   Manufacturing Companies CYP   363,437      78.67 ( 0.96)
   Tourism Companies       CYP    19,910      69.93 ( 1.01)
   Trading Companies       CYP    79,088      44.93 (-0.49)
   Other Companies         CYP    20,673      71.97 (-0.62)

CNA MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1440:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Committee on EU affairs meet

EU's general assessment is that Cyprus' accession course is running smoothly, Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said after the meeting.

However, he pointed out that "a lot of hard work is needed to be carried out by the public sector and for informing the people of Cyprus, especially organised groups, such as trade unions, business associations and social groups."

Cyprus opened accession talks with the EU in March 1998 and the screening process by which its conformity with the Union aquis communautaire is already underway.

Stylianides said ministers and top civil servants took part in the meeting "that dealt with the procedures for the preparation of Cyprus' EU accession as well as the results of the screening process until today."

The Government Spokesman added that "views were exchanged and decisions taken with regard to issues that will be negotiated during the Austrian EU rotating presidency".

Issues such as education, research and industrial policy will be screened in the coming months.

Stylianides said Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides briefed participants on the Republic's accession course and said the Committee will be meeting regularly.

"There is a lot of work to be done in 1998 and 1999," he added. On his part Kasoulides pointed out that today the Committee met for the first time and said "the ministries have undertaken some obligations".

Meanwhile, Cyprus' chief negotiator in the EU talks George Vassiliou yesterday met Greek Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, in Athens.

According to an official press release issued in Nicosia, following their talks the two men participated in a meeting of Cypriot and Greek officials during which the Republic's harmonisation with European law was discussed.

CNA RG/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1450:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus' economy strong according to Maastricht criteria.

Speaking to the press at Larnaca airport before leaving for Moscow, Christodoulou noted that "Cyprus' 1998 growth rate will reach 4,7 per cent, whereas the European average will be around 2,0 per cent".

In Moscow, Christodoulou will discuss the renewal of the existing agreement for the avoidance of double taxation between the two countries.

He said inflation in Cyprus is expected to be 2,5 per cent this year. The European Union (EU) average is estimated to reach 2,8 per cent, according to the relevant Maastricht criterion.

Referring to unemployment, the Finance Minister said it will reach 3,0 per cent compared to 11,0 per cent in the EU.

Cyprus' public debt is expected to be under the 60 per cent ceiling, which is set by the Maastricht criterion, while most of the EU member- countries have a public debt over 60 per cent.

"These figures prove that the only Maastricht criterion Cyprus does not fulfil is the fiscal deficit", Christodoulou pointed out, adding that the deficit is the result of the economic policy deliberately followed in the passed three years.

Referring to the reasons of the rise in fiscal deficit, he said as a result of the implementation of the Customs Union agreement between Cyprus and the EU, the island will lose revenues of 127 million Cyprus pounds in 1998, which corresponds to 3,0 per cent of fiscal deficit (one Cyprus pound is equal to 1,9 US dollars).

In order to compensate for that loss, the government is envisaging a tax-package to be tabled in the House of Representatives in Autumn.

Cyprus, with a per capita income of 12.800 US dollars in 1997, started accession negotiations with the EU in March 1998.

CNA MAN/DG/GG/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1520:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Priceless statues stolen from occupied Salamis

According to the Turkish Cypriot press, two statues were stolen from the city of Salamis, which was founded by Teucer, a hero of the Trojan War, between 1194-1184 BC.

The Turkish Cypriot daily "Kibris", in a front page story, said "Salamis was plundered".

It said the so called "police" of the pseudo state, unilaterally declared in 1983 and recognised only by Ankara, is now trying to locate the culprits, believed to be persons dealing with illegal art trading.

Another newspaper, "Yeni Duzen", reported that the statues were recovered after being discovered buried in a nearby site.

Both the priceless statues were part of the Gymnasium, known as the "Marble Forum", which dates back to the Roman times.

According to the newspaper report, the theft took place two nights ago. It questions how the statues, weighing around a ton each, were removed from their bases and carried away.

"Yeni Duzen" also wonders how the illegal art dealers are planning to transport the statues abroad.

The newspapers said the illegal "police" in the Turkish occupied areas have launched a manhunt to trace the culprits.

Located on the eastern shore of the island, for about 2,000 years the city of Salamis played the most prominent role among the kingdoms of Cyprus.

It was famous for its good rulers, location and harbour and was trading in copper, manufactured goods, corn, oil and salt with neighbouring countries such as Cilicia, Phoenicia and Egypt.

Since the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of the island's northern third, many of the Cyprus' artefacts belonging to 500 churches, monasteries, museums and castles, illegally found their way to various parts of the world.

According to Tasoula Georgiou-Hadjitofi, Cyprus' Honourary Consul in the Hague who has been active in recovering some of the artefacts, between 15.000-20.000 icons have been removed.

She has also said that several dozen significant frescoes and mosaics dating from the 6th century AD to the 15th century have been segmented for sale abroad and some were destroyed.

Priceless icons, frescoes and ancient artefacts from the Turkish occupied areas were smuggled abroad and sold in the international black market, especially in rich countries such as Britain, the US, Germany, Holland and Belgium.

Among the artefacts the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Cyprus has recovered are four mosaics originating from the Kanakaria Church, dating to 525 AD, the frescoes of the Four Apostles of Antifonitis and an icon of John the Baptist from the Church of Panagia Asinou.

CNA EC/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1540:CYPPRESS:05

[05] President, Albright exchange letters

The spokesman also said the government considers a Greek proposal for the establishment of a no-fly zone over Cyprus as a significant step towards the demilitarisation of the island.

Today's edition of the top selling daily "O Fileleftheros" said Albright had sent a letter to Clerides suggesting that the missiles Cyprus intends to buy from Russia are restricted to a smaller range of firing than the original purchase agreement provides for.

The US Secretary of State, whose country objects firmly to the purchase, also proposes that the Russian anti-aircraft missile system S-300, ordered by Cyprus last year, should be stored outside the island.

"I can confirm Alrbight's letter and a reply letter by President Clerides, who does not wish at this stage to reveal the content of the letter," Stylianides said.

Describing the American letter as "proof of US interest in developments in the Cyprus problem", Stylianides said the government continues to stand firm on its positions about the arrival of the Russian missiles.

The spokesman refrained from commenting on suggestions that the government is considering buying smaller range missiles.

"Our positions are well known on the issue," he told his daily press briefing.

The Cyprus government has repeatedly said that it would reconsider halting the import of new weapons systems provided progress is made on a schedule leading to demilitarisation or if there is substantive progress in a Cyprus settlement.

Replying to questions, Stylianides said the government is talking to all interested parties with a view to achieving the demilitarisation of Cyprus.

"We maintain our positions and we discuss on different levels and phases new and old ideas. Our aim is demilitarisation and disarmament," he added.

He also said the government has adopted the position outlined by the Greek Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs that an agreement on establishing a no-fly zone would be a significant step towards demilitarisation.

"This position is part of the joint strategic and tactical policy of Cyprus and Greece," he said.

CNA MM/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1630:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Government protests Turkish aircraft violations

In a letter to UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, Cyprus's Permanent Representative to the UN, Sotos Zackheos, said the violations "are in complete disregard of the Charter of the UN, as well as the provisions of the Security Council on Cyprus".

The letter, dated July 2, circulated yesterday as a document of the General Assembly and the Security Council.

Zackheos stressed that the "new provocative acts by Turkey" occurred "just one day after the adoption of Security Council resolution 1179 which called for respect of the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus."

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of the island's territory.

CNA EC/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1635:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Cyprus' growth rate up to 4,0 per cent in 1998

In its "Prospects for 1998" chapter, the report notes the prospects of the tourist industry "seem a lot brighter as the number of tourist arrivals is expected to grow by about 10,0 per cent, compared with 6,7 per cent in 1997".

Domestic demand will also recover, "as both consumption and investment expenditures are expected to pick-up in 1998", it says.

As a result, "real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate is envisaged to reach about 4,0 per cent in 1998", the report concludes.

According to the report, inflation is not expected to exceed 3,0 per cent, compared with 3,6 per cent in 1997, and unemployment will fall to 3,0 per cent from last year's 3,4 per cent.

The Central Bank warns that if no measures are taken, the fiscal deficit will reach about 7,0 per cent of the GDP in 1998, compared with 5,1 per cent the previous year.

Minister of Finance, Christodoulos Christodoulou, has repeatedly stressed the need for an increase in public revenue through a tax-package, in order to curb the deficit.

Cyprus, with a per capita income of 12,7 US dollars in 1997, started accession negotiations with the European Union in March.

CNA GG/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1745:CYPPRESS:08

[08] President backs business contacts between two sides

The President made the statement during a meeting here Thursday with a group of Greek Cypriot businessmen who attended the Oslo gathering.

In statements to the press Greek Cypriot businessman, Constantinos Lordos, who chaired the group, said Turkish Cypriot businessmen are positive in lifting all restrictions on the freedom of movement in Cyprus.

He announced that a new meeting between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot business persons is scheduled for 16-17 November, 1998, in Constantinople.

The two-day meeting in Oslo was a follow-up to a meeting in Brussels in November 1997.

It was chaired by US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus, Richard Holbrooke, in the presence of US State Department Coordinator for Cyprus, Thomas Miller and members of the Norwegian Institute of Peace.

Greek and Turkish business persons also attended the meeting. Lordos said they informed the President that Greek and Turkish Cypriot business persons will undertake efforts "to lift all current restrictions in the freedom of movement and services".

According to Lordos, President Clerides encouraged the Greek Cypriot businessmen to continue their efforts. He also reassured them of the government's support and cooperation.

A joint statement issued in Oslo said the business people agreed to work on the restoration of the Apostolos Andreas Monastery in the Turkish- occupied Karpass peninsula and the Halal Sultan Mosque in the government- controlled areas of the Republic.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of the island's territory.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has been posing restrictions on Turkish Cypriots' participation in bicommunal events since December last year.

CNA EC/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1925:CYPPRESS:09

[09] Russian, US officials discuss Cyprus problem

The latest developments in the Cyprus question were discussed in Moscow today, during a meeting between Russian envoy for Cyprus, Vladimir Tchizov, and the US State Department's Coordinator for Cyprus, Thomas Miller.

Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Vladimir Rahmanin, told "Novosti" news agency that the two sides reaffirmed their interest and readiness to help promote bicommunal gatherings, that would facilitate the restoration of trust and cooperation between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.

The Spokesman said both Russia and the US believe that there should be action towards the Turkish Cypriot leadership in order to create the conditions which would allow communication between the two communities.

According to Rahmanin, the two sides reconfirmed their support to the UN Secretary-General's mission of good offices and efforts made by Kofi Annan's Special Advisor, Diego Cordovez, to resume direct talks between the two sides in Cyprus.

Both Tchizov and Miller welcomed the recent UN Security Council resolutions on Cyprus.

They also stressed the need to continue their contacts and exchange of views, in order to achieve the greatest possible coordination between Russia and the US in the search for an acceptable Cyprus settlement, under UN auspices.

With resolutions 1178 and 1179, the Security Council renewed the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) mandate for a further six-months and repeated its support to Annan's good offices mission in Cyprus.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of the island's territory.

CNA CG/EC/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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